Ha Ha

Clinton-Dix

Clinton-Dix most recently played for Chicago, starting all 16 games for the Bears in 2019. He spent time with the Cowboys and the 49ers in the previous two summers but was unable to make either team’s final roster. At 28 years old and with multiple teams choosing to keep him outside of their final 53 players, Clinton-Dix is simply a reserve option for teams thin at safety.

Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Elijah Mitchell are San Francisco’s top-three running backs, at least until Jeff Wilson returns. The 49ers also waived/released DL Alex Barrett, WR River Cracraft, DL Darrion Daniels, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, LB Justin Hilliard, FB Josh Hokit, OL Corbin Kaufusi, S Jared Mayden, OL Colton McKivitz, CB Alexander Myres, OL Dakoda Shepley, LB Elijah Sullivan, WR Nsimba Webster, WR Travis Benjamin, OL Jake Brendel, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Dontae Johnson, OL Senio Kelemete, TE Jordan Matthews, TE MyCole Pruitt, QB Nate Sudfeld, and DL Eddie Yarbrough.

The 28-year-old was out of the league last season after being released by the Cowboys at final cuts. It’s late in the game for Clinton-Dix to earn a roster spot after missing two weeks of camp. He was the 21st overall pick of the 2014 draft by the Packers.

The 49ers also worked out Clayton Geathers, Bradley McDougald, and Andrew Sendejo. They are clearly looking to add safety help, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they add someone in the coming days or weeks. Clinton-Dix worked out for the Colts last week as well. He didn’t play last season after the Cowboys cut him prior to Week 1.

Clinton-Dix didn’t play last season after the Cowboys cut him prior to Week 1. He was beaten out by Darian Thompson for the starting role. Clinton-Dix is still only 28 years old and he started all 16 games for Chicago in 2019, recording 78 tackles and a pair of interceptions. The veteran safety figures to contribute somewhere this year.

Clinton-Dix was out of the league last year after getting cut from Dallas before Week 1. He last appeared as a 16-game starter with Chicago in 2019. Still only 28, Clinton-Dix seems like a good bet to resurface on a non-guaranteed deal.

It’s a surprise after Clinton-Dix signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal in March, one that included $2.25 million guaranteed. Clinton-Dix was expected to earn a starting job, but he was beaten out by Darian Thompson. Clinton-Dix’s release creates $1.5 million in cap space. Fellow starter Xavier Woods has been battling a groin injury, but Clinton-Dix’s release indicates Woods will be ready to go for Week 1.

The move comes two days after Jeff Heath departed for Las Vegas. Clinton-Dix had another low-key good season in 2019 and should immediately slide in as a starter for Mike Nolan’s defense. Headed into what will be his age-28 campaign, Clinton-Dix has never missed a game with injury in his six-year career.

The free-agent market at safety is saturated with Landon Collins, Eric Weddle, Tyrann Mathieu, Adrian Amos, Lamarcus Joyner, and Earl Thomas, among others, hitting the market, so Clinton-Dix may come as a bit of a bargain. Clinton-Dix was the Packers’ first-round pick in 2014 but is still only 26. He was traded to the Redskins at the deadline last year for a fourth-round pick. Coach Jon Gruden’s brother, Jay, was obviously Clinton-Dix’s coach the second half of last year.

Clinton-Dix was sidelined for the start of camp after suffering a sprained knee late in the offseason program, but he was never expected to miss much time. Clinton-Dix will attempt to replace Adrian Amos in Chicago’s loaded defense. The Bears also activated OT T.J. Clemmings (ACL).